Overwintering Tropical Hibiscus

I have had great success keeping tropical hibiscus from year to year. This particular plant is especially gorgeous with its very large lemon yellow blooms. It is going through its 5th winter inside. I have transplanted it only once during this time. I will generally cut it back to 12” or so in the late fall, before bringing inside. It will lose over half of its foliage within the next month, but then it usually levels out for the rest of the winter. I apply a systemic insecticide for pest control during this time, but I find no need for any treatment once it’s outside for the season. I keep it in a cooler room and water sparingly every couple weeks.

Generally in April I will start to acclimate it to come outside. It may need to be cut back again and can be pruned drastically if needed. Start fertilizing and soon lush full growth will begin and fill in to a full bushy plant within a month. I continue to fertilize weekly with Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster alternated with Compost Tea or some other form of organic fertilizer.

Usually in June flower buds appear and this plant will produce many flowers continuing right through the fall. These plants will not tolerate a frost so take care to bring them inside or offer protection, as we quite often have an early frost and then not again for weeks. I like to leave them out as long as possible. The same is true for the spring. I start them outside as soon as spring arrives but offer protection as needed until danger of frost is over. Overall growth and health will always be better when they are outside.